The Baseline Assessment
Further Guidance for Teachers
The questions used on the baseline can be adapted by teachers but please reflect the meaning of the question.
The information below goesfarbeyond what is necessary but is included to provide context and, as far as possible, a right understanding for teachers.
Part 1 Religious Artefacts
(BIBLE)
1.What is this called? It is best to use a bible that will be used in school or a children’s bible. God’s Story is not a bible. Part of the children’s education about the Bible is to come to know it as a special (sacred) book that is revered by Catholics and respected by others because it is God’s Word to us. This is why the Bible is displayed in school/class in a special way.
2. Do you know a bible story? Children might name one or they could describe basic features of a story.
(CRUCIFIX)
3. What is this called? A crucifix is a typical Catholic symbol, it is a cross bearing an image of Jesus being crucified. The figure of Jesuson the crucifix is used to remind Catholics that Jesus was true man as well as true God (there were heretics [those who held erroneous beliefs] in the past who believed that as God Jesus could not also be man and so his suffering and death wasn’t real – he only appeared to suffer and die) and that his suffering and death were real and painful. The Apostles’ Creed makes Jesus’ suffering and death an article of faith and mentions ‘crucified’: ‘He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried’. Your crucifix may have the initials INRI upon it. The initials stand for the words (in Latin) which Pontius Pilate had the soldiers put above Jesus’ head: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’.
The crucifix reminds Catholics of the price Jesus paid for humankind’s sins and brings to mind the idea of ‘sacrifice’ and ‘salvation’. Jesus takes upon himself the sins of the world (this is what a sacrifice is: something or someone who is offered in place of others) to suffer and die to save others. The image of the Lamb of God is used for Jesus. It looks back to Abraham’s ‘sacrifice’ of Issac and the first Jewish Passover when the blood of the sacrificed lamb saved the Hebrews from the death of the first born and occasioned the escape of the Hebrews from Egypt. It also links the Last Supper and the words of Jesus over the bread and wine (‘this is my body’, ‘this is my blood’, ‘given up for you’) to Good Friday – the day Jesus died. Jesus’ death ‘takes away the sins of the world’ which is another way of saying that through Jesus’ death God forgives our sins. Now sin separates us from our true self, from others and from God. Through Jesus’ death God forgives all our sins and so re-unites, restores, reconciles us to God and each other. Where sin separates, forgiveness re-unites and this is what ‘salvation’ (‘to heal’) means. Forgiveness brings hope to sinners, it restores their dignity, it assures them that they are accepted (it redeems). Forgiveness enables people to live again: this is why the day Jesus died is called ‘Good Friday’ and why what is written about Jesusis called Gospel (good news), ‘I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly’ (John 10: 10).
Children may answer ‘a cross’. Catholics make the ‘sign of the cross’ and talk about the ‘Cross’ following the example of St. Paul in his letters in the New Testament. However, a cross is usually understood as a Christian image with no body of Jesus attached. It is used as a symbol of the resurrection and can be found outside some Christian churches, usually coloured white. A cross can also be understood as a first aid sign and as an item of jewellery. A cross becomes a crucifix when it bears an image of Jesus being crucified.
4. Why do we have one in class/school? We want children to recognise the crucifix as a symbol of the Catholic faith and so that is why we have them in our Catholic schools. It also reminds us of Jesus whom we follow – we try and put others before ourselves as Jesus did. It reminds us that following Jesus will not always be easy.
(STATUE OF MARY)
5. Who is this (a statue of)? The statue or picture used ought to be one that is used in school. It could show Mary alone or carrying Jesus depicted as a child. Mary could be holding rosary beads or be depicted standing on a snake –the snake represents the devil (serpent) in the story of the ‘fall’ in Genesis who tempts Eve. Eve gives in to temptation and eats the fruit of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil and gives some of the fruit to Adam. This original sin condemns mankind to a fall from grace with God. Mary is depicted standing on a snake in recognition of her part in the victory over evil because she allowed herself to become the mother of Jesus (the Mother of God) who brings about the salvation of mankind. The Church calls Mary a second and more perfect ‘Eve’ as her son, Jesus, is called the second Adam.
Part 2 Prayer
(SIGN OF THE CROSS)
7. What things do people do when they pray? This question is about what other gestures or things people do or use to pray. It could be words used like, ‘Amen’. It could be gestures like joining hands. It could be using things like a Bible, a candle, rosary beads and such like.
(CHURCH)
9. Why is it a special place? The Church is a special place for people to worship and pray to God and his son, Jesus. It is the place Catholics go to especially on a Sunday when they go to Mass. It is special because Jesus is made present during the Mass and is present in the tabernacle where the body of Christ is reserved.
Part 3 Religious knowledge
(CHRISTMAS CARD/NATIVITY SCENE)
10. Can you tell me something about this picture/scene? This can be set up in the home corner with a nativity scene or a Christmas card can be used. The focus here is on the religious literacy the children have about Christmas as opposed to the secular literacy the majority of children will be well aware of.